Deck Trouble

Bryan · Nov 12, 2007

I put a marathon Deck on my 07 Dodge 3500 which I haul my 2 quads on often, last week I cleaned out the box and noticed cracks in the bed where the back post sit. I put 2x6 planks under the feet to give me a little more room under the deck. Has anyone else ran into a problem with decks ?

FAB1 · Nov 12, 2007

I haven't but I will go out and check mine (are you talking about an actual crack on the deck bed or the truck bed?)...Their is a peep on here CHELLE I believe who works for Marathon....might want to send her a pm.

Bryan · Nov 12, 2007

Its the deck of my truck, The marathon deck is awsome. In the four corners I have bolts though the truck as well I have the chains attched.

GRD · Nov 12, 2007

That is strange.... Never heard of that happening before...

SLEDBUNNYRACING · Nov 12, 2007

My alum deck, not a Marathon, had numerious cracks that had to be welded. The guy who did the repairs said due to the "off center" stresses put on the metal this type of fatigue is not uncommon. He suggested that all decks, alum or metal need to be checked on a yearly basis.
He also gusseted all the 90 degree points that had failed.
My 2 cents...

GRD · Nov 12, 2007

Bryan said:
Its the deck of my truck, The marathon deck is awsome. In the four corners I have bolts though the truck as well I have the chains attched.

I wonder what dodge will say... Have you talked to them at all?

Bryan · Nov 12, 2007

Have not talked to Dodge. Dealers are never satisfied to anything added to your vehicle. Its always our fault. I am just going to put bigger planks of hardwood under the feet for a bigger print. I need the space under the deck so my generator fits.

FAB1 · Nov 12, 2007

I agree...Marathon Decks are the best...lots of companies copying them now.

I checked my truck bed and all is good but then again it is a FORD...

Good luck with yours.

2003Summit · Nov 12, 2007

Bryan said:
I put a marathon Deck on my 07 Dodge 3500 which I haul my 2 quads on often, last week I cleaned out the box and noticed cracks in the bed where the back post sit. I put 2x6 planks under the feet to give me a little more room under the deck. Has anyone else ran into a problem with decks ?

I know a couple people that had this problem. Did you make your planks long enough to reach the cross members that run under the box? One cross member is just behind the wheel well, the other is near the back of the box. Your plank needs to be long enough to span them. I had problems with the metal in the floor of the box bending, after I put the longer blocks in, it's fine now. My planks are probably 20" long (guessing).

albertagal500 · Nov 12, 2007

You should have a GMC/Chev then you wouldn't have the problem. :rolling:

snochuk · Nov 12, 2007

I cut a sheet of 3/4"plywood to cover the truck deck(including the corners) and then I bolted the deck to the frame(made my own crossmember) and not to the truck box. Truck box is weak(even worse on Chev/Ford LOL

), only use the frame and you should not have any problems. When I had my Ford with deck tied to corners of box the deck kept twisting and coming loose so the turnbuckles required constant monitoring, actually buckled one corner of the box. Good luck with the dealer

spike7ss · Nov 19, 2007

I have a STF Deck on my 05 dodge 3500, and I always have something on it, and have hauled 2 quads on it numerous times, and it still doesnt show sign of fatigue.

mudboy · Nov 20, 2007

Just pulled my deck out of the truck 2 weeks agao. After 3 years of being in there and hauling quads, I noticed that it had rubbed through the spary in box liner . I Pu t some planks under the leags now. I have been told that dodge uses a thinnner metal for there box and that one should put plywood on the floor. I have an 05 dodge but have not done this

FAB1 · Nov 20, 2007

mudboy said:
I have been told that dodge uses a thinnner metal

Sounds like the new XP....

T.O.B.C · Dec 2, 2007

I have a 99Dodge with a four post alluminium deck, it stays in all year sometimes, hauling sleds and quads. No problem with the box at all and it is just sitting on the plastic box liner and the pads on the four deck legs are only 3by4inchs. Having plywood or planks under the deck legs is a good idea. The one thing that I don't think a person should do is bolt the legs to the box of the truck, I think its better to just have the four turnbuckles on the inside of the box to the corners. I would get rid of the bolts through the box, it's better if the deck can shift a little in your box.

Bryan · Dec 4, 2007

I started out with just the turnbuckels attached but they keep coming loose. Thats when I deceided to bolt the four corners and the turnbuckles. I heard a rumor that if the legs are not bolted down, the deck could crack in the middle if the legs seperate. ( the deck )

chelle · Dec 4, 2007

All of our decks that we install get a plywood base to spread out the load. Usually about 8" x 12" x 3/4" as the metal used in a box is just too thin to support the toys. I don't see many consumer trucks back after they get the install but we do see the survey trucks (95% Fords) back for a deck swap. Of about 50 trucks I've only seen one with cracks in the box. Keep in mind the surveyers use their decks every day on crappy roads. Don't use 2 x 6, use plywood. Also you must use a plate on the under side of the box for the same reason. Spread the load.

As for your box with cracks in it. . . either get it welded or I would cut a piece of metal plate to spread the load.

Hope that helps.

Please never use the factory in-box tie down points. They are not rated and if you are ever in an accident the deck would not stay attached to the truck. Drilling through the box is the only safe way.

Cheers

Michelle

Deck Trouble

Bryan

Active member

FAB1

Guest

Bryan

Active member

GRD

Moderator

SLEDBUNNYRACING

Bad Bunny

GRD

Moderator

Bryan

Active member

FAB1

Guest

2003Summit

Active VIP Member

albertagal500

Active VIP Member

snochuk

Active VIP Member

spike7ss

Active member

mudboy

Active VIP Member

FAB1

Guest

T.O.B.C

Active member

Bryan

Active member

chelle

Marathon Truck Decks

Similar threads